President-elect Barack Obama already has his hands full with a global economic crisis that everyone is hoping he can help fix.  This is just one of the many things the incoming administration is going to have to worry about come January 2009, but online gamblers are waiting with bated breath to see what he will do about Internet gambling and all of the policy that is currently affecting it.  Opponents of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act can breathe a bit easier right now as the elections have managed to slow down on following orders from the White House regarding the finalizing of regulations surrounding Internet gambling.

According to reports from the Washington Post, President-elect Obama is already preparing a list of regulations and policies that are being prepared during the waning days of President Bush’s administration.  Any regulations that the incoming Obama administration feel are being imposed for ‘overtly political’ reasons are looking at being swiftly withdrawn.  The list currently has over two hundred different topics, including climate change and stem-cell research regulations.  The sudden implantation of the UIGEA will more than likely make Obama’s list.

The UIGEA has had testimony against it from officials from the Treasury, the Federal Reserve, bankers, financial leaders, and bankers stating that it is vague, confusing, and potentially dangerous to both the American banking system as well as international trade agreements surrounding online casinos and poker rooms.  Even experts have determined that the UIGEA is undefined and that enforcing it would be problematic.

A spokesperson in the Public Affairs office of the White House has stated that there has been ‘considerable political pressure’ to get the regulations published before the transition from the old to the new administration.  Former lobbyist William Wichterman, who was paid by the NFL to lobby Congressmen on behalf of the NFL, is on the payroll until March of 2009 to push to keep online gambling illegal.

Obama’s administration is going to have a fight on their hands regarding the Internet gambling regulations, although it may not be one of the first ones that they will have the opportunity to review.  He has promised to keep the Internet open and free from censorship, and considering the regulations that are being pushed by the Bush administration there will be many rules that have been put into place looking at repeal.  The UIGEA will be up for review by the Obama administration, and if the President-elect’s administration follows through with their plans online gambling pundits will be happy with the ultimate results.